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(No Model.)

0. 0. PINGKNEY.

FIFTH WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

No. 335,088. Patented Jan. 26, 1886 IINiTED Srarns PATENT Orricir.

CHARLES OAULOVV PIN OKNEY, OF VALDOSTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALFTO THOMAS W. TERRY, OF SAME PLACE.

FIFTH-WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 335,088,:iated January26,1886. Application filed Or-tober 16, 1885. Serial No. lF0,0T4. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. PINCKNEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Valdosta, in the county of Lowndes and State of 5 Georgia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FifthNVheels; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which IOit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying draw ings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in fifth-wheels forwagons or other vehicles, and has for its object the provision or adevice simple in construction, durable, and at the same time cheaperthan the Oldl 2o nary fifth-wheels now in use.

My invention consists of a circleor guide formed with annular grooves onits inner and outer peripheries, the interior one receiving the centeror circular portion of the fifth- 2 5 wheel to which the bolster issecured, and the exterior one receiving the curved reach, which extendsaround it and furnishes the means for bot-h coupling the fore and hinderparts of the running-gear, and for permitting o them to turnindependently of each other.

This construction enables me to dispense entirely with the king-bolt.

The fifth-wheel is fastened to the front axle by means of bolts whichpass through the cir- 3 5 cle or guide, leaving the center free to workin the inner groove of said guide or circle.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate what Iconsider the best means for carrying my invention into practice.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a running-gear having my device applied. Fig.2 is a cen tral longitudinal section of my device.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre- 5 fisponding parts in allthe figures in which they occur.

A is the center or circular portion of the fifth-wheel working in theinner groove of the circle or guide B and resting on the lower portionof said guide. right arms, a a, which connect it to the bolster of thewagon.

The opening in the upper portion of the circle or guide B is made largerthan that in the lower portion, so as not to obstruct the course of saidupright arms a a, in which the bolster b is held. This circle or guide Bis made of two separate pieces,with a ring or filling between them, andthus forming the interior groove for receiving the center A, and theexterior groove in which the curved reach or conplingpole D works,- orit may be made of one solid piece, with means for receiving the centerA, as may be desired. The reach or coupling-pole D works in the outergroove of the circle or guide B and connects it with the rear axle ofthe vehicle. It is preferably made in a single piece.

The reach is preferably made in one continuous piece, extending from therear axle, near one end, forward and around the guide and back to therear axle, near the other end. This makes a simple, strong, and reliableconstruction.

The circle or guide is fastened to the front axle by means of the boltsb b, and in such manner as not to interfere with the working of thecenter A.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure byLetters Patent 1s-- 1. In a fifth-wheel, the combination, with theinteriorly and exteriorly grooved guide, of the reach encircling andresting in the ex terior groove of said guide, and a revoluble centerworking in the interior groove, as set forth.

2. In a fifth-wheel, the combination, with the exteriorly and interiorlygrooved circle or guide, of the reach or coupling-pole bent, asdescribed, in front to work in exterior groove and the center working inthe interior groove of said circle or guide, and having two upright armsto engage with the bolster of the wagon, as set forth.

3. In a fifth-wheel, the combination, with the center, of the circle orguide,

plate extended inward beyond the upper plate The center A has two uptheunder and supporting the center, as and for the purpose set forth. 7

4. The herein-described circle or guide for fifth-wheels, having anexterior groove to re- 5 ceive the reach or coupling-pole and aninterior groove to receive the rotatable center, as described, saidcircle or guide being bolted to the front axle, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix. my signature IO in presence of twoWitnesses.

CHARLES CAULOW PINCKNEY.

Witnesses:

B. L. STEPHENS, CHARLIE MARTIN.

